Smart Grids, Touch Screens & Apps are Missing-in-Action When it Comes to Shower Control

The emphasis of Home Efficiency Systems has largely bypassed the biggest water and energy waster inside the home – that of lingering showering times. Without the use of grids and touch screens, the Shower Manager has tackled this issue and today is responding to needs that go beyond conservation.

PRLog - Feb. 24, 2014 - DENVER -- Don Brunkhardt, CEO and Founder, has announced the release of a Shower Manager unit, with longer shower times. These longer shower times come at the request of parents and caretakers of people with special needs. These bathers may be of Autism or other disability who often struggle to keep shower times within reason, requiring frequent intervention by the parent or caregiver.

This new Long Shower Unit allows for longer showers, but does eliminate shower times that go beyond 18 minutes, the maximum time setting.

While water providers frown on showering times longer than 10 minutes, this Long Shower Unit provides extra minutes of water flow. The soothing water of a shower often provide welcomed relief for people of special needs. An added bonus is the more freedom it gives parents and caretakers, not having to monitor shower times.

The Shower Manager has offered shower control on the web starting in 2010. The main advantage of the Shower Manager is its ability to 'cut-the-flow' when time is up. This cut-flow or 1/3 of full-flow gives the bather enough flow to finish rinsing, but not enough to encourage continued showering. After the shower, a 5-minute reset interval prevents extending the shower and a 1-minute alert tone warns the bather before the flow is cut. The device attaches to your showerhead. http://www.ShowerManager.com

The Shower Manager gives parents an alternative to ultra-low flow showerheads and digital wall timers. While these two tools offer a form of shower control, they still require the bather to voluntary end the shower. Other than voluntary efforts, showers often go uncontrolled and result in the biggest water and energy waster in the home.

The use of shower control goes beyond borders and across cultures. Today, 20% of the Shower Manager shipments are to Australia, the UK and Canada, and Europe. The need for shower control also goes beyond the home, with applications in dorms, rec centers, hospital ships and Zoo’s (for the trainers). Water shortages, droughts and HEMS efforts contribute to the need for shower control.

The $149 cost of the residential model ($169 for Long Shower Unit) can be recovered by many families in less the 12 months. Depending on utility costs, two children cutting their showering times from 30 minutes to 10 minutes can save the family budget $250 to $500 annually, and substantially more for electric heat.

The Shower Manager hardware and software is protected by two US Patents. It is made by Peak Engineering and Automation of Loveland, Colorado USA